I like how Disney did a unique freaky Friday so maybe the devil wears Prada is the same. I hope the music is as iconic as legally the blonde the musical (I think the musical is better than the movie)
Carrie Hope Fletcher as Andy. I think the part of Emily in the original cast can be color blind. However, casting Andy with a POC performer poses potential for Miranda to be misunderstood as racist (which she isnt, shes just nasty). She does a lot of things like refuse to acknowledge Andy's name, intimidate her, mock her sense of style etc, which when directed at a POC actress was seen as racist microaggressions (and this was well discussed in a lot of audience and critical reviews for the Chicago production). I think the Andy casting can be colorblind later on, but when developing the show and for the original WE cast, they need to show the character as white because some of Miranda's dialogue and Emily's passive aggressiveness to a person of color totally changes the tone of the piece.
Agreed. I saw Andy as a white "Plus Sized" (AKA the Average Size of women in the early 2000s) of around 10-14ish , in order to reflect the standards of the average american woman of that time.
In the Chicago production, there were some select lines and staging that made it so that Andy was established as a black character. Andy said that she was president of the black student union in college, and she wore a graduation stole for it. Also, one of the understudies for Andy was a plus-sized black woman. I did not see her perform, but I imagine that would change the dynamic even further. Btw, Emily was played by an Asian woman. She played the character in a very Gretchen from Mean Girls type of way (the actress actually played that role prior).
@@jennym127over the medically healthy weight *is* plus-sized, no matter how many women are condemning themselves to early graves and chronic pain, and no matter how much you want to pretend science doesn't exist, and no matter how much unhealthy lifestyles have been normalised to you to the point where healthy weights that were completely average pre-1980s are considered "anorexic".
We all end dead in the end anyway so why does it matter? Ive never understood the human desire to live as long as possible. I say get in and get out of this planet as soon as possible. Earth is nothing more than a simulation anyway. We're not really here dude, we just believe we are.
The power of Miranda Priestley is in her poise, stillness and quiet monotone voice. These qualities don’t lend themselves easily to musical theatre. I’m interested to see whether this character can sing and still maintain those specific qualities.
I saw it three times in Chicago. Not because I’m a masochist, but because I kept hoping for improvement during the run. I have no problem with adapting this film or film to stage adaptations in general. We’ve had a number of them try out here in Chicago (Addams Family, The Producers, Victor/Victoria, Tootsie, Pretty Woman, Kinky Boots, Big Fish, etc and recently The Notebook), some great, some terrible and everything in between. The creative team just did a miserable job with this one, and I’m pulling for this newly led and hopefully overhauled production in London.
Could not agree more with this comment! I was so completely disappointed with this when it tried out in Chicago - I really liked the film and had high hopes - and I genuinely hope they tear this to the ground and rebuild it (and do the work this time, because this could be a fun show).
I saw The Addams Family during its Chicago run and it was bafflingly bad. Still glad I saw Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth but, boy, that second act was a mess.
@@scribbly2983 Totally agree. The story was a mess, the songs were forgettable. I actually just saw a production of the updated Addams Family last night (I’m not sure if it was the tour version or the 2015 Mercury Theater version) and I was amazed at how much better the show became. They really did the work to get it where it needed to be. Better songs, a streamlined story.
Miranda Priestly might be the devil, but she is a thinly veiled critique on Anna Wintour. Which is why, even if the Chicago trial run went well, it was unlikely to ever open on Broadway. Way too many Broadway producers still kiss up to her. Which always bothered me, since she is such an abusive woman.
Thing is about Plymouth is that it a really good space to develop work, they've got the TR2 which is a rehearsal space that is identical to the stage space, so lots of new work gets developed there (see war horse, curious ect.) Typically plays but I can see the merit for Musicals too x
I am thrilled to here that there is going to be a complete rewrite. I saw the Chicago production and here is my review: The ultimate devil in The Devil Wears Prada musical is the framing device: at the end of the show we see Andy having an interview, getting the job and being told to essentially write her story; this reveals a circular structure in which the show is told from Andy’s perspective. Andy’s perspective is the same way it is framed in the movie, but for a musical it is severely limiting. The framing here is like trying to fit a size 6 woman into a size 2 dress-trying to meet the established norm while being squeezed out of fully embracing a bigger potential. Moments in which Andy is not onstage or should not be privy to information feels jarring as a result. It is an even bigger shame especially considering one of the best numbers comes with the four friends singing together towards the audience without Andy present. It is the devil Miranda Priestly herself who reveals a potential way to operate within the oppressing paradigm. In her signature number at the climax of Act 2, Miranda sings directly to the audience. A spotlight shines on her as background lighting changes to a red aura, giving the impression that time stands still, for the song is not for any other character to hear. The use of lighting to stop time and break the fourth wall enables introspective songs from other characters to be potentially justified. Another significant problem with the writing pertains to the act structure. The first act is set in New York, while the second act is set entirely in Paris. This makes the first act seem very rushed, and the second act seem very dragged out by comparison. The first act ends with Miranda inviting Andy to Paris over Emily. Unfortunately, Miranda’s invitation line comes in the middle of a song with heavy background music such that if one is not listening carefully, the line is easy to miss. For such an important (and iconic) moment, this should absolutely not be the case. There are numerous instances in the show where other iconic and important lines are similarly obscured. As a result of this-combined with the framing structure-the show at this point in the development process would have been more enjoyable as a straightford play adaptation of the movie. When it comes to the songs, Shaina Taub understands how musicals are capable of expanding on pre-existing intellectual property through songs that reveal inner character thoughts; Elton John does not. If one is familiar with Taub’s and John’s prior work, it is incredibly easy to distinguish who wrote what song. Thus, the musical approach is inconsistent throughout. The most cohesive (and best songs) are Taub’s ballads. This includes Miranda’s power ballad, the beautifully harmonized songs sung by the friends, and Nigel’s emotional number about growing up gay in a small Midwest town. The Tony award this show would win (theoretically, of course) is for best lighting design of a musical. The lighting design literally shines: lights create a runway on the stage, brighten the contrast between New York and Paris, make the otherwise clear office wall set-pieces glow, and illuminates the show's potential as it casts light upon character's inner thoughts in a sound way. Ultimately, the framing device for the entire show is so flawed that it should be discarded as quickly as last season's Pantone color. Given that, it is unclear if The Devil Wears Prada musical can ever be mended.
Ok so I’m not trying to be a hater here but I did see this show in Chicago. To put it nicely...it was very disappointing. I was extremely excited even though I tend to be weary of movie adaptations but since the music was composed by Elton John I was hyped. Unfortunately, the songs were incredibly forgettable and considering the shows centers on fashion, the outfits were atrocious which was the biggest sin IMO. I heard from an ensemble member that they were all actually wearing real Prada but I agree with Mickey when he says that it would be interesting if they have it set in the past so they could showcase early 2000’s fashion which is incredibly in right now. I know I seem harsh but I know I wasn't the only one who had these thoughts from the comments on the announcement post on instagram. If the book, music, lyrics, and staging are completely overhauled like speculated then there may be hope. And ya know, despite all my complaints, I'm rooting for it ! I’d love to be able to say I saw the rough cut before it got it’s polish. Sorry for the word vomit but this is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to talk about it since I saw it like last year lol
Honestly, I'd love to see a video about Books/Films you think should get musical adaptation and who should create/star in them. PS the First answer should be The Princess Diaries. LOL. Honestly, that whole movie should have been a musical from the beginning. A Story about a teen girl who finds out shes a foreign princess, and it stared, Annie Hathaway, Mandy Moore, Julie Andrews-Post Voice and they DIDNT make it a musical? Big Mistake. Broadway is how we correct it. Get Nell Benjamin (Mean Girls/Legally Blonde) on it. That story just screams Long term Disney's Broadway Musical. Is it the most artistic? nope. But commercially, it would kill.
i think Pocahontas deserves a redo. the music is great and the story deserves to be told from a modern perspective in a way that speaks better to the issues they were trying to speak to then, that are still relevant: environmentalism, genocide, racism, patriarchy, colonialism...
Plymouth have a a really good production space and a long history of producing/ collaborating and being used In the development of productions that go to the west end ( war horse , elf , big , miss Saigon etc… ) Being from Plymouth I am very proud that it is finally being recognised a bit more as being in the southwest it gets forgotten about a lot in favour of other venues that are in bigger cities when we have world class facilities and an amazing leadership team . This is not the only new production to debut at the theatre next year and very often produces new works I.e the artist , matthew bourne Edward scissorhands on there first showings . It also means that as a regional venue it helps audiences see the big productions rather then having to only travel hours away to London or beyond as it does seem a shame when news like this is reported only London is the main focus. Sometimes meaning the regional venues are overshadowed by London centric news when London is not accessible for everyone. Can’t wait to see who is cast in this production and what it is going to be like .
I haven’t hear any of the rumours but when I opened this video my first thought was that Hannah Waddingham would be amazing as Miranda. (I missed her as the Witch but caught her in Kiss Me, Kate - what a presence! What a voice!)
Any other film, I would give a side eye, but since my daughter is a former Andy, the story is near and dear to my heart. She started as an Andy, stayed with "Runway" and is now Features Editor. I really hope that this is revised and successful. I would definitely cross the pond to see Hannah in this.
I live near Chicago and the theater friends who saw it did not care for it. I have seen a few Chicago tryouts and we always seem to get the roughest drafts of these shows (looking at you, Addams Family and The Pirate Queen)
I saw the show In Chicago and it felt like Elton phoned it in, there were only two songs that were actually good. The only thing I hope they do keep some of the set from the Chicago production because it honestly was the best part of the show. I think it would be cool to see Jessie hooker-Bailey as Andy, she was the understudy in Chicago and went on multiple times and she was absolutely amazing
OH MY GOD Hannah Waddingham was EXACTLY who I was thinking when I was thinking of someone from the UK who would be awesome in that role, I hope that ends up happening!!!
IF this becomes a musical AND if it transfers to Broadway.... i really hope they cast Anne Hathaway as Miranda, she is coming in to the right age (ish) and can pull Miranda off AND its a closed circle ;) Well, Emily Blunt could too ..
I saw it in Chicago-I hope they keep the number Bon Voyage. It’s Emily’s number in the hospital and it was so camp and exactly what I wanted out of a Devil Wears Prada musical.
Hopefully, it will be good. People like the small screen series Emily in Paris, so this story should have similar potential to blend fashion, interesting coworkers and a young professional woman who is trying to figure out who she really is in career and life.
When I first saw this news the other day, my very first thought was 'ooh, I wonder what MickeyJoTheatre will have to say about this'! I've seen the movie a million times, so I hope I get to see the show.
We get so many pre-Broadway tryouts in Chicago, and half of them are super rough. the Producers & Spamalot were not great when they tried out here (and one of them, I think Spamalot, went on for almost 4 hours the first time I saw it). They were re-worked and became better shows. This, of course, doesn't always happen. Paradise Square (which I saw as it jumped from Berkeley to a reworking in Chicago before being overhauled again in New York) just got worse along the way. The Devil Wears Prada just had dull music, and making Andy a person of color just made Miranda and Emily look like racists when they were unkind to her.
Just based on the title alone and admittedly before I watch the video I need to ask if the people deciding what to make as a new musicals are the same people making decisions on the Disney live action remakes? It’s all getting very “this thing was popular years ago how about we re-format it and send it back out?”
Hannah would be great but why do I feel that Miranda might be Anne Hathaway with Ms Mouat as Andie and Emily Blunt the actress in Beauty And Beast whose name I can't remember at 5h3 moment
I'm just eh. I love the movie though. I'm middle ground for this adaptation, some are great, but most are just eh. I'm just hoping for a Princess Diaries or Hook musical adaptation an then I'll be happy. But...can Meryl be on stage again please? Id love to see her pick up the character again in the form of a stage musical.
i'm an broadway fan i admit i forgot about out of town run. please natasha katz as lighting director. hannah will unless she wants like many other cast members want a season 4 of ted lasso. laura bell bundy or ashley brown. ariana debose, adrienne warren.
Very intriguing! Loved the film, the book not so much. Casting will be incredible - I know Jennifer Saunders has been "campaiging" for Miranda Priestly but Hannah Waddingham would be incredible! I'd literally just get Emily Blunt on the stage for Emily ... Andy will be interesting. I'm hoping for someone left field - but I'm envisaging Sam Barks 😊
I’m a Chicagoan and a big musical theater fan (of course!) so I thought about going to see this Chicago tryout, but decided not to because I hated the movie so much. I didn’t get any entertainment value out of two hours of a boss treating her employee like dirt the first time, and I didn’t think adding songs would change that. Now I’m kind of glad I skipped it. Best wishes to the UK transfer anyway though, and I do love Hannah Waddingham, so anything new with her is at least a little exciting! 😅
The Devil Wears Prada is literally my favorite movie of all time. And I’m not just being hyperbolic, I really mean it. It’s so good! So I’m 1000% excited for the musical adaptation of it, I think it’s a tremendous idea. And even though I had heard the less-than-ideal critique over the Chicago version, I was still looking forward to watch that, if it had been any closer to where I live. I know for certain that will LOVE the musical regardless of how it comes out lol Also, my dream would be for the producers to take a risk and make Miranda and Andy fall in love lol WHY NOT??? Makes so much sense to me. 💁🏽♀️
The Chicago production was easily one of the worst shows I’ve ever seen. Simply awful. I’d hold out hope if they had Hannah, new songs, new book, sets, costumes and direction. Love how legally blonde elevated the movie, not tried to flat out copy it. Love to see them do that with Devil.
Andy has to be someone with good looks because Miranda Priestly would never hire someone fat and ugly as an assistant. That's if they want to stay true to the character
I saw it twice in Chicago and it's... rough. Even if they completely redo the show, none of the music is good sadly. Sorry Elton. They need a new composer.
